Captain's Log
10 Fascinating facts about Humpback Whales
A fully grown Humpback Whale can weigh more than 5 adult elephants, the largest land mammal.
15 Whales
Byron Bay
8-21
SSW 7KN
1.8m
Today there was plenty of action out off the coast of Ballina and Byron Bay. We enjoyed breaching, comp groups, muggings & tail slapping on our Byron Bay Whale Watching Cruises at 8:00am & 11:00am. Conditions are looking good this week, so be sure to book aboard our Byron Bay Whale Watching Cruise.
Encounter astonishing Humpback Whales in their natural habitat as they migrate past the coastline between Ballina and Byron Bay on our incredible Whale Watching tour. Depart from Ballina’s Richmond River and enter the pristine waters of Cape Byron Marine Park.
Enjoy breathtaking coastal scenery while listening to live Humpback Whale song using our specialised underwater hydrophone. Our friendly Marine Biologist will share in-depth knowledge of the area & jaw-dropping encounters we experience within Byron’s Marine Park. We are so sure you’ll spot a whale from June 1st until the end of October that we offer a free return trip if you don’t see one on your first whale watching adventure!
Qualified Marine Biologist Guide
Waterproof Poncho
Free Professional Photos
Whale Guarantee
State-Of-The-Art Modern Eco-Vessel
Beanie
Warm Jacket or Jumper
Sunglasses
Drinking Water
Camera
The vessel departs from Ballina at the Lance Ferris Wharf, 12 Fawcett St, Ballina NSW, Directly in front of the Wharf Bar & Restaurant
For more detailed information about location and boarding, please click the button below.
Humpback Whales are believed to use landmark to help with navigation on their migration, so they tend to hug the coast making local waters and Cape Byron, Australia’s most easterly point, centre-stage for the whales. Mothers choose calm, sheltered and protected waters like Byron Bay to nurse, teach, rest, and play with their young in preparation for their long swim back to the Antarctic.
Not that you need incentive to visit, but it’s all the more reason to book our Whale Watching Cruise taking you from Ballina to Byron Bay and provides front-row seats aboard an eco-vessel with 360º viewing of the sheer beauty of our favourite finned-friends.
Whether it’s your first or 100th whale watch, you will still watch in awe as these acrobatic creatures amaze us every time; whether they’re breaching, competing for mates, or nurturing their young.
Humpback Whales are among the largest animals on earth! Witnessing them up close and personal you’ll realize their impressive size. Adults average 14-18m in length and weigh 50 tons. Calves are born around 4m in length and weigh 2 tons.
Purpose-built for fun & comfort
Our purpose-built vessels provide 360 degree views for unparalleled whale, dolphin and sightseeing experiences. Their unique hull designs ensure a smooth, comfortable ride in all cruising conditions, with individual seating for up to 20 guests.
We sponsor a number of research projects
When you Whale Watch with Out of the Blue Adventures you are also supporting Dolphin Research Australia. This program directly helps the vulnerable bottlenose dolphin communities that use the estuaries in Northern New South Wales.
Your fully accredited expert guide
All of our tour guides are fully qualified in Marine Biology and will provide with plenty of interesting facts, as well as in-depth knowledge on current findings from marine research projects during your adventure.
Some of the incredible sights you might just witness. All photos taken by our team during a whale watching tour.
Our purpose-built vessels provide 360 degree views for unparalleled whale, dolphin and sightseeing experiences. Their unique hull designs ensure a smooth, comfortable ride in all cruising conditions, with individual seating for up to 20 guests.
Learn more about our Eco VesselBetween 1950 and 1962, nearly 12,500 Humpback Whales were killed and processed at whaling stations along the east coast including at Byron Bay. A jetty stretching three quarters of a mile out into the bay at Byron was a feature of the landscape for 85 years.
In 1960 and 1961, illegal hunting by Russian whaling ships in waters south of Australia and New Zealand took around 24,000 whales and wiped out this population. Over-exploitation eventually led to the demise of the whaling industry in Australia. By the mid 1960s, there were no more whales to catch.
Humpback Whales were hunted nearly to the brink of extinction with only 200 whales left in this population. A ban on hunting humpbacks came in 1963, and they were protected worldwide in 1965 after recognition of a dramatic global decline in numbers.
Commercial whaling in Australia ended altogether in 1978 with the closure of the last whaling station in Western Australia. In 1979, Australia adopted an anti-whaling policy, permanently ending whaling in Australian waters and started to focus heavily on working towards the international protection and conservation of whales.
40 years ago, people believed the only way their children would see a humpback whale was from a page of the National Geographic magazine. Thanks to those who fought for the protection of this (nearly extinct) species and dedicated decades of funding and research, this is not how the story unfolded.
Nowadays, there are around 25,000 Humpback Whales in this population that migrates up Australia’s east coast. This is the healthiest it’s been since they were hunted nearly to extinction. It’s an inspiring comeback story confirming change is possible with hope, perseverance, and commitment. Change may take time, but this tale proves positive change can happen over a lifetime.
Enjoy close encounters aboard our Whale Watching Byron Bay to Ballina Cruise. We hope a close encounter aboard Out Of The Blue leaves you feeling empowered to protect the environment and its beloved creatures.
Book Your AdventureThere are so many things that nature has to offer and you are well aware of this, being someone who loves and respects the environment. In the case of wildlife attractions (such as zoos), sometimes it’s difficult not to question whether they’re allowing nature to thrive as it should. As much as you want to enjoy these places, it can be difficult to when you think about it like this.
Fortunately, there are ways you can enjoy wildlife at its optimum without interfering with it. Consider whale watching in Byron Bay with Out Of The Blue Adventures.
Located in Ballina, our boarding zone, we offer first class Byron Bay whale watching tours and river cruises aboard our state-of-the-art eco vessel. This vessel was designed for whale watching and provides a 360-degree viewpoint.
Go ahead and book a day in Byron Bay whale watching. Not only will you experience amazing whale sightings that are incredibly photogenic, you will also enjoy some delicious homemade food and talks with a qualified marine biologist who has extensive knowledge of the whales and area.
Book Your AdventureIf you love nature, wildlife and learning everything there is to learn about them, then our whale watching tours in Byron will be the perfect option. As you take in the fresh air in beautiful Byron Bay and mingle with like-minded people over the tastiest of food and drink, you’ll learn about marine life, its ecosystem and the vulnerable species that we are passionate about supporting and protecting through research.
Being a nature lover, you’ll not only find your experience incredible but will appreciate knowing that you’re supporting the lives and stability of whales, dolphins and their ocean habitats. That’s because we directly help the wildlife by sponsoring many research projects, such as those by Dolphin Research Australia, Healthy Waterways-Healthy Dolphins Project, and taking part in the Dolphin Watchers Program and more.
We believe in making our whale watching cruises in Byron worthwhile. Once on our comfortable, full-view eco vessel, we’ll depart from Ballina’s Richmond River where we’ll enter the sparkling clear waters of Cape Byron Marine Park.
It won’t take long for you to catch a view of our breathtaking humpback whales, free to enjoy their natural habitat. Along with this, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful scenery and the song of whales, detected using our specialised underwater hydrophone.
Just when you think nothing can surpass this, you’ll get to hear from our friendly marine biologist, gaining in-depth knowledge on the humpback whales in the area and the memorable encounters we’ve had. You’ll walk away feeling more connected to marine wildlife and with a higher appreciation for them. This certainly will not be your last whale watching experience with us. Contact us today to cruise the ocean with us.
Book Your AdventureIf you have any additional questions about our Whale Watching tour, please call us on +61 407 522 422 or fill out the form and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
A fully grown Humpback Whale can weigh more than 5 adult elephants, the largest land mammal.